Maradona in fight for life

Football legend Diego Maradona is today fighting for his life after a suspected cocaine overdose.

The 43-year-old Argentinian was admitted to hospital hours after watching his former side Boca Juniors.

Maradona - one of the greatest footballers ever - has been sedated and attached to a respirator at a private clinic after suffering breathing failure.

A medical report from the clinic describes the prognosis as "uncertain". There is growing speculation the player, who has been fighting drug addiction for years, had taken an overdose.

A statement from the Suizo Argentina Clinic in Buenos Aires said that the star was suffering from hypertension. His father, his former wife and two daughters are at his bedside.

Outside the clinic, dozens of fans mounted a vigil. One held aloft a photograph of Maradona in his soccer-playing prime. A banner read "Diego, Argentina loves you", while passing cars honked their horns.

His personal physician, Dr Alfredo Cahe, said he was taken by surprise by the exfootballer's sudden illness.

"I do a daily check on Diego and he was fine," Dr Cahe said at the clinic. He added: "His hospitalisation has nothing to do with his addictions."

In his 20- year career, Maradona led Argentina to World Cup victory in 1986. But to English fans he is still best known for the infamous "Hand of God" incident, when he punched the ball into the net during Argentina's game against England in that year's World Cup quarter-final.